Friday, 10 October 2008

Peppercorn R.I.P

How I hate this October day. How I hate the blessed sunshine and blue skies that made me feel that everything was going to be alright in the world. How I hate the fact that whilst I was happily having my lunch a fox took it upon itself to bite a chunk out of my hen's back and leave her dying under a bush. How I hate myself for thinking she would be OK for an hour to wander around the garden without the security of her run as she had done so for 3 years. How I hate the fact that I took my daily routine for granted and thought that she would be safe. I feel so shaken. The stability of my world is shaken. How do I explain to my 10 year old son when I pick him up from school today that my carelessness caused the death of our pet hen.
Posted by at
Labels:

15 comments:

  1. April10 October 2008 at 14:23

    So sorry to hear your sad news

    April xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Locket Pocket10 October 2008 at 17:24

    Oh Simone, how horrid! But it's certainly not your fault! These sorts of things just happen - although I'm amazed that a fox was brave enough to come in the middle of the day. We lost one of our hens to one in the night because I had let a pop-hatch in the top of their run (that I used to access the water etc)get loose. But a fox will find food somehow when it needs it - not your fault at all! Take care, Lucy x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amanda and Tim10 October 2008 at 19:09

    Oh I am so sorry to hear this - but I agree with Lucy it was not your fault. Sometimes foxes just get in - my neighbours lost one of their chickens the night before the moved home. It was so sad - I remember being sad and it wasn't even my hen. I hope that you feel better soon and that your son is ok.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gina11 October 2008 at 03:37

    So sorry Simone..you musn't blame yourself though. I know how you feel after losing several chickens here to native cats..once when out of the yard and once inside. Take care, Ginax

    ReplyDelete
  5. Debbies-English-Treasures11 October 2008 at 11:46

    OHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
    Lovely Simone... I`m so sad to hear about your hen!
    Please, try not to be so harsh on yourself!
    Your DS will understand... he may get a bit upset at first... but he will be ok after...
    I know that... because my Dear Friend dog run away... and he jumped off the bridge into a motorway... the fall cause him to die... but then he was run over by several cars...
    My DF young children were very upset with it for a while... but they soon got over it!
    And so as my friend... she blamed herself for the death of their beloved pet!

    I hope that you and your DS, will feel much better soon!

    Kisses
    Debbie Moss

    ReplyDelete
  6. tess11 October 2008 at 14:50

    oh what a shame. xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sal12 October 2008 at 08:37

    So sad but you must not blame yourself,Simone. Huge hugs..Sal

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rosie12 October 2008 at 09:31

    Oh, dear - sometimes life can be horrible can't it? Poor Peppercorn and poor you - I know it is hard but try not to shoulder the blame just help your son cope with the loss. Take care:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. walter and me12 October 2008 at 14:12

    Oh Simone, what a sad tale, and how upset you must obviously be feeling. Be gentle with yourself. Nature can seem unbearably cruel sometimes.
    Diana x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous12 October 2008 at 21:53

    What a horrible thing to happen, but as everyone has already said it's not your fault.
    lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Selfsewn13 October 2008 at 19:18

    I feel your pain Simone : (

    Clare xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cowboys and Custard Mercantile14 October 2008 at 10:28

    Dear Simone.. sad news and I am so sorry to hear that you lost a beloved animal.. but you mustn't blame yourself..
    Nature takes it's course and you were not to blame..

    Michele x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Attic2414 October 2008 at 17:30

    oh no, Simone, how awful for you to go through this. I'm so sorry I've not stopped in to your blog for a few days, and I see what a tough time you've been having.
    I hope the shock has eased a little, remember that wild animals will always do what nature intended and you are certainly not to blame.
    I am lost for words (not often THAT happens!), but sending you big hugs and lots of love
    Lx

    ReplyDelete
  14. This Vintage Life...21 October 2008 at 19:53

    How absolutely awful for you. My Betty free ranges all day and - touch wood - so far, she's been ok but you can never be sure. You can keep them safe twenty-three and a half hours a day and then Mr fox chooses that half hour to visit so of course it's not your fault. I hope all you're finding a way to get through it?
    Deb x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Louise23 October 2008 at 11:43

    I am really sorry you lost your hen in this way. You were only allowing her to do what she loved best. I can imagine how upset you felt Simone, but the fox, and not you, is to blame. x

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated on this blog so it may be a while before your comment appears. I will try to leave a response to your comment where possible. Thank you so much for reading!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)